Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Friday, 12 November, 2021. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Turtles on the move across Greater Shepparton

A great result was achieved on Wednesday morning when a community member reported an active turtle at Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton. Council staff attended the site and saw the turtle was nesting. Staff worked to protect the nest from predators by providing a mesh cover to ensure it was safe.

RiverConnect Project Officer Meg Pethybridge said that while this was a fantastic result, there would be plenty more nesting turtles at risk of predators.

“There are three species of freshwater turtle who live in Greater Shepparton, the Eastern Long-Necked, Broad-Shelled and Murray River,” she said.

“Nesting for these turtles typically occurs around November and December, during or after a rain event. Turtles will travel long distances to lay their eggs and are most active early in the mornings. Unfortunately it is known that foxes predate on about 95 per cent of freshwater turtle nests.”

Turtle nests are usually very hard for humans to find, however foxes can smell the eggs when they are freshly laid and when the eggs hatch whilst in the ground. Protecting a nest immediately after the turtle has left greatly improves the babies’ chances of survival.

Tatura Turtles Volunteer Yvette Williams said while it was rare for humans to spot nesting turtles, it’s important that community members who come across the nesting event to report it.

“We record sightings on the TurtleSAT app to help researchers across Australia monitor turtle populations and we encourage residents to use this app to help with turtle protection,” she said.

“We also arrange protection of nests to ensure that the hatchlings have the best chance of surviving. Please contact the Tatura Turtles page on Facebook if you see a turtle in the Tatura area.”

If you find a nesting turtle:

Guard her until she’s finished laying (15 - 30 minutes) and then carry her back to the closest suitable water body.
Record the exact location, take a photo and contact RiverConnect on
03 5832 9700 or riverconnect@shepparton.vic.gov.au to arrange for the nest to be protected.

If you find turtle eggs:

Leave them and report the location to Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300.

If you find a turtle on a road or in danger:

Carry the turtle in the direction it was heading to prevent it trying to re-cross the road when you have left.
If there is a water body within a few metres of the turtle please move it to the water, however if water is far away just move it out of harm’s way.
If the turtle appears to be dead, ill, or injured, or if you have any concerns at all, call Wildlife Victoria for rescue or advice.

If you find a hatchling turtle:

Pick the hatchling up and place it in fringing vegetation in the nearest suitable water body. Please do not take it home – it is illegal to remove native animals from the wild.

RiverConnect and Tatura Turtles use nest protection kits compiled by Tatura community members, with the support of the Fairley Leadership Program and funding from the Hugh Williamson Foundation. For more information phone RiverConnect on 03 5832 9700 or email riverconnect@shepparton.vic.gov.au